Bakersfield
Today
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 21st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Parents in Bakersfield are paying nearly 24% more for diapers and formula as rising costs leave nonprofits with almost empty supplies. The Pregnancy Center—serving around 350 clients monthly—and The Mission at Kern County are urging donations at a baby shower—on Nov. 20 at 321 21st Street—to help meet the increasing need. 23ABC News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Millions were logged off popular sites as a significant AWS outage disrupted services for companies including Snapchat, Reddit, Amazon, and Venmo. In Bakersfield, the city website’s AI chatbot Archie experienced a brief outage—restored by around 2 p.m. Bakersfield Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Tehachapi Loop is a 150-year-old rail design built by 3,000 workers that uses a looping track to help trains climb steep grades and has been in use since 1876. The single-track route is shared by two freight companies, a setup that has kept passenger service off the line. KVPR
- ➤ California made Diwali a state holiday and Bakersfield residents began celebrating the Festival of Lights on Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Ranjit Singh of Spice Land said the event brings sweets and shared traditions to the community while fire officials restrict personal fireworks—Spice Land will continue the festivities today. Bakersfield Now
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A startup based in Alameda is using a solar-powered heat battery to produce steam for enhanced oil production near Taft in Kern County — the project connects renewable energy with traditional methods to boost efficiency. The Bakersfield Californian
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Parents and students at Sing Lum Elementary in southwest Bakersfield are upset—Halloween costumes have been banned by the principal, leading to the cancellation of the celebration. The Bakersfield Californian
- ➤ Bakersfield College is celebrating National Transfer Week with workshops and events that help students learn about transferring to universities. Students can join Coffee with the Transfer Pathways Team today at 2:00 p.m. at the Panorama Campus CSS building — Room 190 and other sessions continue through Friday. Bakersfield College
- ➤ On Monday, students and teachers at CSUB and Bakersfield College faced online class disruptions after Canvas went down due to a nationwide Amazon Web Services outage. Both schools monitored the issue and advised students to check with professors for class updates. 23ABC News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bakersfield police and the Kern County Sheriff's Office warned families to take extra care during Halloween by keeping children in groups, watching traffic, and checking candy—while promoting free community events and trunk-or-treating as safer options. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ The federal shutdown threatens Kern County food programs as SNAP funds will run out in two weeks, which may affect more than 250,000 residents. The county's Human Services department said that if the shutdown continues, programs like Cal Fresh and Cal Works could see changes starting in November—officials urge residents to keep up with reporting and seek help if needed. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ The Kern County Administrative Office on Truxtun Avenue is lit in purple to raise domestic violence awareness through October—county officials remind anyone needing help to call the hotline at 1-800-273-7713. Bakersfield Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Joe Ducey from the Better Business Bureau warned seniors to review Medicare and Healthcare.gov plans carefully during open enrollment—Medicare enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 while Healthcare.gov starts on November 1—and to avoid unsolicited calls asking for personal details. He urged seniors to use official websites and verify offers before sharing sensitive information—helping protect against identity theft. 23ABC News
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Halloween Pub Crawl in Bakersfield
4:30-9 p.m. — Jerry's Pizza & Pub — Tickets required — Embrace the spooky season with contests, prizes, and a night of haunted fun.
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Black Jacket Symphony Fundraiser
4:00 – 5:30 PM — The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater — Benefitting the St. Paul Civic Symphony — Enjoy an evening of music supporting a great cause.
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Whittier Poets vs. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Basketball Game
7:00 PM — Icardo Center — Check ESPN+ for broadcasting — Don’t miss the showdown as the Whittier Poets take on the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners in an exciting basketball matchup.
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Women's Basketball Game vs. Fresno State
12 AM – 9 PM — Icardo Center — Ticket prices vary — Cheer for the home team in an exciting matchup against Fresno State.
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Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra - An American Salute
4:30-6 p.m. — Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a patriotic musical tribute with festive marches and stirring classics honoring those who serve.
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Hyde Sundayz: Week 2
9:00 PM – 1:30 AM — Ay Mi Pa Mexican Grill & Cantina — $10 — House music enthusiasts will enjoy a night of continuous beats.
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Bakersfield Career Fair
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Hilton Garden Inn Bakersfield — Free entry — Connect with local and Fortune 500 employers to explore job opportunities in various fields.
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2025 CARS Tour West at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway
6:00 PM – 8:59 PM — Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway — Cost information not specified — Witness thrilling racing as the CARS Tour West ends its 2025 season with exciting late model action.
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Los Admirables De La Sierra Concert
8 PM — La Movida Night Club — Ticket prices available — Experience the vibrant rhythms and heartfelt melodies of traditional Mexican music.
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Cinderella by World Ballet Company
7-8:30 p.m. — The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater — Tickets available — Experience the enchanting tale of Cinderella come to life with a stunning ballet performance.
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